Raju pauper in America

Mr Ramalinga Raju, the disgraced ex-boss of Satyam Computers, has been declared a pauper by a US court. The New York Judge, Ms Barabara S. Jones, also conferred “pauper” status on his brother, Mr Rama Raju, and the former Satyam financial head, Mr Srinivas Vadlamani, thus exempting them from paying court expenses.

All three are presently enjoying the AP government’s hospitality at the Chanchalguda jail. Insiders say Mr Raju, who is serving a judicial
remand, is being given VIP status by jail officials.
His family owns 21.5 per cent stake in Maytas Infra, which is worth Rs 201 crore. His realty arm, Maytas Properties, which according to Mr Raju’s own version in December 2008, had land worth $1.3 billion or Rs 6,000 crore in areas spread across several metros.
However, the former Satyam trio told the court that they are unable to engage an attorney in the US to defend themselves or to pay any court fees. “The court finds that defendants have adequately demonstrated that they are unable to pay costs as described in the federal law,” the judge said, accepting their contention.